The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 511-516.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.03.020

• Treatise: Clinical Practice • Previous Articles    

Wake-promoting effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on patients in a persistent vegetative state

Xulong ZHANG,Jianrong MI,Jing LI,Lili YUAN,Xiangwei MENG,Xiaoyan FAN()   

  1. The Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation,Shaanxi Rehabilitation Hospital,Xi'an 710065,Shaanxi,China
  • Received:2025-09-05 Online:2026-02-10 Published:2026-02-09
  • Contact: Xiaoyan FAN E-mail:846870149@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in promoting arousal in patients with persistent vegetative state (PVS). Methods A total of 70 eligible PVS patients were randomly assigned to an observation group or a control group, with 35 patients in each group. Both groups received conventional basic treatment and rehabilitation training. The control group was treated with rTMS alone, while the observation group received rTMS plus Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture. Treatments were administered once daily, five times per week, with a two-day interval each week, for a total of 6 weeks. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Coma Recovery Scale?Revised (CRS-R),and Chinese Vegetative State Scale (CVSS) scores were observed before and after treatment, and the arousal rate after treatment was evaluated. Results After treatment, both groups showed significant increases in GCS, CRS-R, and CVSS scores (P < 0.05). The observation group demonstrated higher scores on the GCS, CRS-R, and CVSS compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The arousal rate was 38.70% (12/31) in the observation group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (15.62%,5/32;P < 0.05). Conclusion Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with rTMS can effectively improve the level of consciousness in patients with PVS.

Key words: Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, persistent vegetative state, wake-promoting effect

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